An architecture firm has drawn up designs for a modern air traffic surveillance hub at Owen Roberts International Airport as part of a project to improve Cayman’s aviation safety.
The two-storey building will be nearly 1,500 square foot and connected to the existing air traffic control tower, according to the drawings by Frederick McRae.
It will feature a training room, a data and uninterruptible power supply room, and a control room with five stations at the site near Owen Roberts Drive in Grand Cayman.
The site, floor and side elevation plans have been submitted to the Department of Planning for inspection and are available online for public viewing.
The next step is for the Cayman Islands Airports Authority to submit detailed plans for the hub to the Central Planning Authority for analysis and approval.
Efficiency and safety
The hub is part of a new modern surveillance system that will be set up to allow air traffic control for Cayman’s three airports to safely monitor, track and manage flights.
Up until now, air traffic has been managed manually on dated equipment – a practice which is less efficient and can lead to increased safety risks.
In July, the Cayman Islands Airports Authority asked companies to submit bids to provide technical support to help implement a new system which will use existing radar.
Wayne DaCosta, the authority’s chief airport operations officer, said at the time, an increase in air traffic and the cost effectiveness of newer technologies led to the decision.
“Some of the benefits of the system will be improved operational efficiency and safety,” he told the Compass.
According to the project description, Cayman has “very limited” communications, navigation and surveillance (CNS) infrastructure and no independent surveillance equipment.
“CNS and the radio spectrum they require are the foundation of the aviation operational performance to ensure safe, secure, predictable and efficient air operations,” it said.
It described Cayman’s communications, navigation and surveillance infrastructure as “legacy” with “very high average ages”.
The outdated equipment is made up of conventional navigational aids and control towers – “a factor that can limit operations performance in a negative way”, the description said.
Discussions over the use of a leased US non-profit Central America Air Navigation Services Corporation radar for air traffic control began in 2018. However, this has never been used.
Ready in 2025
In late 2022, a comprehensive independent analysis identified and recommended the required parameters for an optimal air traffic management surveillance system.
The resulting proposed automatic, dependent surveillance broadcast system will take advantage of the existing surveillance radar in Grand Cayman.
It will be supplemented by installing another three receivers in Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.
Complete aeronautical information management and automatic message handing software systems will also be deployed.
DaCosta said the new system is estimated to be in full operation in early- to mid-2025.
He added that the surveillance project is being implemented alongside other efforts which will improve the overall operational efficiency, safety and security at Cayman’s airports.
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